Organic wine making – there’s always more to learn in the game

An ABC local affiliate in Canowindra talks to vintner Sam Statham from Rosna Organic wines about his 2012 NSW Organic Pioneers Award:

Ask any wine maker and they’ll tell you there’s always more to learn in the game.

Given half a chance, who wouldn’t take up an opportunity to visit some of the world’s oldest grape vines and pick the brains of local vignerons in France?

Canowindra farmer Sam Statham from Rosnay Organic Wines has returned from a trip doing just that.

The farmer and his young family just returned from six weeks overseas, part of his winnings from taking out the 2012 NSW Organic Pioneers Award.

“We did bring back our quota of wine, between five of us!”

As for how he won the award, Mr Statham attributed the win to some “fairly unusual things” tried on their farm.

It’s a business that’s been in operation for between fifteen and sixteen years and has worked with neighbouring growers in the region and is part of a group of organic growers.

“Our latest program is using sheep for weed control. Weeds are our biggest issue so we’re aiming to find ways to manage them naturally and with low input.

“These days, you’ve got to reduce your costs and sheep are free labour…I think that might have been a part of it, it’s a technique that’s growing amongst non-organic vignerons as well.